Even Joey Barton may be back soon!Newcastle United’s extensive injury list appears to be showing signs of relenting as the season draws to a close. A number of both long term and short term injuries appear to be clearing up which can only be a good thing as the Toon seek to finish off the job of promotion this season.
Arguably the most notable of those injuries to clear up is Jose Enrique. The Spanish left back has been out for five weeks, and had his comeback against Barnsley two weeks ago cut short with a slight recurrance of his hamstring injury. He was named on the bench against Middlesbrough although manager Chris Hughton decided not to risk playing the defender and decided a couple of days extra rest would be better than risking losing Enrique for a longer period of time.
The Spaniard is raring to go for the title run in and firmly believes his injury problems are behind him, something we all hope is true such has been his influence this season. Speaking to The Chronicle of his injury, Enrique had this to say: (more…)
Jose looking bullish in a fetching yellow.Jose Enrique could make a return to the squad after missing out on the last six matches. The 24-year-old and £6.5million-rated Spanish left-back, has been one of Newcastle’s best players this season, but with initially no natural replacement it was feared that the Spanish defender, nicknamed ‘The Bull’, would be a big loss.
Chris Hughton brought in Chelsea’s young left-back, Van Aanholt, 19, who had a previous loan spell at Coventry City to cover the position for a month. The young Dutchman has done well when called upon and has turned in some decent performances considering the shoes he’s been filling in the position.
Hughton will have the option to extend Van Aanholt’s loan from an initial one month period to until the end of the season. Personally, I’d like to see him given the opportunity here as he won’t feature for Chelsea (injuries permitting) and there’s always the danger of Enrique falling to injury again.
Enrique’s last game for Newcastle was the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, now nearly over a month ago. Hughton has the decision to instantly bring Jose back for his guaranteed experience, or stick with Van Aanholt who hasn’t really put a foot wrong. However, seeing as Hughton only rates Enrique as “hopeful” for Watford, it would be assumed that in keeping with his usual ‘safe approach’, the manager will stick with Van Aanholt. (more…)
Jose: How long?Newcastle United manager, Chris Hughton, has been speaking again on the Jose Enrique hamstring problem. The left-back pulled up after 26 minutes of the Crystal Palace game yesterday evening, setting Geordie hearts aflutter.
In a post match interview, Hughton said that he wouldn’t know more until the morning, however, it now looks as though it may take a few days to truly assess the damage and estimate how long Enrique will be out of the side.
Hughton told local rag, the Chronic:
“If it is pulled then that could be a problem – I’m hoping it’s just fatigue because he’s played a lot of games.
“It will take a couple of days to settle down and then we will see what the extent of the damage is, if any.
“It’s one of the last things I wanted to see, particularly given the form he’s in and the position he plays.
Enrique: Hamstrung, but for how long?In yesterday morning’s papers, Magpie left back, Jose ‘the Bull’ Enrique fretted that the recent defensive crisis might derail Newcastle United’s bovine promotion charge. Later, in the evening’s home game against Crystal Palace, he became a casualty himself. Circling his hands, he then limped off almost immediately with a hamstring injury after 26 minutes. The talented but inexperienced Tamas Kadar stepped into the breach, however he has already been slotting in for centre back, Steven Taylor, and right backs, Ryan Taylor and Danny Simpson too.
Though new big lad, Mike Williamson, seemed to plug Steven Taylor’s central hole very adequately considering his lack of group training etc, the Toon backline is now becoming like the trenches of the Somme, and though out on the left, Enrique’s loss would perhaps be the greatest of all if it is for a long period. It would also break the Latin triangle of Enrique, Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez, which has been such an effective part of the Magpie machine this term.
Speaking on Enrique’s injury in a post match interview, manager, Chris Hughton said that he would know more today about the seriousness of the injury, adding: (more…)
James Linnington before the game?I only caught this on Radio Newcastle so whatever follows is partly second-hand but…
Amidst some baffling officiating, Newcastle’s ‘Wembley Dream’ was shattered by a strong West Brom team who went two better than their plundering at St James’ last Monday, to take them through to the next round of the FA Cup. But the matchday officials can expect lifelong infamy round these parts, as they more than played their part in the fortunes of the victors.
Chris Hughton made expected changes from the 2-2 draw earlier in the week, which saw Tim Krul replace Harper between the sticks, Ryan Taylor come in at right back for the newly-acquired Danny Simpson and Tamas Kadar slot in for Steven Taylor, who appears to have suffered a serious knee injury following a shoddy challenge from Bednar in the previous game. Fabrice Pancrate and Andy Carroll also started, with Lovenkrands understandably being given time away to spend with his family and Ameobi dropping to the bench. The shape of the team changed as we elected for the 4-4-1-1 approach with Pancrate allowing Guthrie to move into the middle with Smith, Gutierrez in his usual wide left role and Nolan pushing in behind Carroll.
West Brom manager, Roberto Di Matteo, had suggested he would also make changes to protect his squad for the priority of promotion, but it was a very familiar starting eleven which ultimately trotted out. And yet despite that, it seems like they lacked the quality and drive on display in the league game. However, in a first half where Newcastle players were again found wanting for some creativity and where a number barely applied themselves, it was West Brom who took a deserved 2-0 lead into the break. (more…)
